Cheems Balltze, the Shiba Inu dog that gained viral fame and inspired the “doge” meme, has passed away at the age of 12 after battling cancer. Known for his endearing smile and fondness for cheeseburgers, the internet-famous dog peacefully passed away during a thoracentesis surgery, falling asleep in the process, as shared by his owner on social media. The Shiba Inu, affectionately called “Ball Ball,” was scheduled to receive further chemotherapy for his leukemia.
The owner expressed her appreciation for the outpouring of support and urged fans to remember the happiness Balltze brought to the world. She reminisced about his contribution during the pandemic, which brought joy to many. She believes that Balltze’s mission is now complete, and he is running freely in the sky, enjoying delicious food with new friends.
Acknowledging the medical staff’s dedication during Balltze’s six-month battle with cancer, the owner expressed immense gratitude. She informed supporters that the donations collected for his medical expenses would be directed towards local animal charities.
The “doge” meme, originating in 2010, when a picture of a Shiba Inu dog was paired with humorous comic sans text, gained widespread internet recognition. This meme even led to the creation of the “Dogecoin” cryptocurrency in 2013. Balltze’s participation in the meme culture increased when a photo of him sitting on the floor was shared in 2017 and later went viral when reposted with the caption “Cheemsburbger” on the r/dogelore subreddit.
Adopted by his owner Kathy in Hong Kong at one year old, Ball Ball’s journey gained global attention. His passing marks the end of an era for an iconic and beloved figure within internet meme culture.